Why should you pursue CSR certification in logistics?
Are logistics and CSR incompatible? Not at all! In an industry responsible for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions (including transportation), it is now essential to commit to reducing its environmental impact. CSR certification in logistics is a real asset; it’s a sign of sincerity and commitment for companies. How did the certification process go at Logisseo? What are the challenges? And what’s next? We’ll tell you everything.
What is CSR?
Corporate Social Responsibility is a policy implemented by organizations aimed at improving various aspects and ways of working. The European Commission has defined it as follows: “the voluntary integration by companies of social and environmental concerns into their business activities and their relationships with stakeholders.” This means that companies that implement this policy aim to pay particular attention to the impact on their stakeholders as well as to the environmental consequences generated by their activities.
CSR is based on three fundamental pillars: social, environmental, and economic. These three aspects are inseparable. If we want to act responsibly, it is important to always take each of these pillars into account.
This is the standard ISO 26000 that lays the foundation for CSR. It covers seven major topics:
- Organizational Governance: How to Manage and Organize a Business Ethically
- The contribution to local development, which aims to engage local service providers to foster growth;
- Human rights, a principle that aims to safeguard the physical and moral well-being of employees;
- Workplace relations and conditions, which prioritize employee well-being and a pleasant and safe work environment;
- The environment, which suggests taking into account the ecological aspects of an activity;
- Good business practices, which encourage companies to adopt ethical, transparent, and responsible practices;
- Consumer protection, which emphasizes the quality of the products and services sold.
These ideas serve as the guiding principles for companies’ actions. They make it easier to take action and quickly identify which changes should be prioritized in their industry or business.
What are the challenges involved in obtaining a CSR certification?
CSR certification provides official recognition of a company’s efforts to integrate sustainable practices into its logistics operations. More than just a label on a logo, it demonstrates a genuine commitment and willingness to address environmental, social, and societal issues.
An assessment by a certification body first allows a company to prioritize its key issues in order to define the scope of its CSR policy, and then to determine the actions to be implemented and measure their impact.
As a result, having a certification also allows an organization to legitimately communicate about its actions. Indeed, a certification validates and supports an organization’s approach, both in terms of what has been accomplished and what is planned.
CSR certification also encourages companies to maintain a long-term commitment and challenges them to adopt increasingly innovative and ethical practices. It provides a clear direction.
The Steps Involved in Obtaining CSR Certification: The Case of Logisseo
Before the audit
The process for obtaining CSR certification in logistics involves several steps.
At Logisseo, we first compared the various certifications based on our needs and values, which led us to select AFNOR’s “Engagé RSE” certification. After contacting the organization and gathering all the information required for the audit, we created an internal position to manage this project and implement our future strategy.
Several months before the audit, we began by conducting a thorough assessment of the company’s CSR status. We analyzed current practices, compiled a list of initiatives already in place, and identified the company’s strengths and weaknesses. All of this was documented in a report submitted to the auditor in advance, accompanied by dozens of supporting documents: HR policy, carbon footprint assessment, internal and customer surveys…
D-Day
Over the course of two and a half days, an independent assessor appointed by AFNOR came to review Logisseo’s actions and commitments. The assessor followed a detailed schedule during which numerous questions were posed to the CSR project manager as well as to members of senior management, who have been leading the initiative since its inception.
But that’s not all! To gather as much information as possible and assess the CSR initiative from every angle, the auditor also interviewed numerous internal and external stakeholders: employees, several customers, our main suppliers, certain partners…
After the audit
For several weeks, we waited (im)patiently for the results: Did we get the certification? What level did we achieve? Was our commitment properly recognized? Did we make any mistakes?
Then, in early May, we received our certification notification: we have achieved Level 2/4 of the Engagé RSE certification, which is valid for three years!
But the work has only just begun. In fact, one of the main goals of this certification was to gain insight into our practices, to assess where we stand within the industry (in other words, to determine whether what we were doing was on the right track), but above all to structure our approach and give it momentum.
Launching a CSR initiative after obtaining a certification
Earning this certification lends us credibility and enables us to pursue a more structured approach. Thanks to this certification, we have been able to set specific and achievable CSR goals, following which we developed a clear action plan based on our priority issues, to which we have allocated resources.
Certification requires regular monitoring of progress and involves assessing the impact of the initiatives implemented. Indeed, a certification is not merely a tool for a company to use for marketing purposes. On the contrary, it is the cornerstone of a sustainable CSR approach, which is why it is valid for three years and requires a mid-term evaluation after 18 months.
Now you know how to get your CSR certification! To get a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of a logistics company, follow us onLinkedInorInstagram
